Our management practices, like the environment itself, are constantly evolving and we will continue to improve, grow and learn from our land.

PROUDLY QUALMARK GOLD Accredited

“A Gold business is a best-in-class sustainable tourism business in New Zealand, delivering exceptional customer experiences, an integral part of everything they do. A Gold Sustainable Tourism Accreditation identifies those businesses leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world-class sustainable visitor destination.”

Brick Bay is honoured to have achieved the Qualmark Gold Certification on our first evaluation, a reflection of our dedication to sustainability, community, and excellence. This prestigious award from New Zealand's leading tourism authority underscores our commitment to blending art, nature, and architecture with environmental stewardship and cultural respect.

It's an accolade that inspires us to continue setting standards in sustainable tourism, making every visit to Brick Bay a contribution to a more sustainable future for Aotearoa.

Sustainable Wine Growing 

We believe that it is the environment that makes our wines unique. The conservation and improvement of our land is paramount to ensure the quality of our wine today and well into the future. We are proud to be accredited under SWNZ Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand. 

Some sustainable initiatives in our vineyard are:

  • To avoid soil overfertilising, we constantly test and monitor the nutrient status of the soil.

  • We remove shoots and leaves to open up the vine canopy to maximise sunlight and airflow, reducing the need for sprays. 

  • We aim for minimal chemical intervention and use the softest sprays possible- including certified organic sprays and biological products to enhance beneficial microbial life. 

  • Undervine cultivation, whereby the weed roots are cut rather than sprayed, reduces the need for herbicides. This cultivation also forces the vine roots deeper into a more minerally rich soil.

  • We actively encourage biodiversity in the vineyard, providing habitat for beneficial insects by planting large swathes of wild flowers and host plants.

  • All of our establised vines are grown without irrigation. 

  • Inter-row cover crops further encourage biological disease control and remove excess water from the soil at ripening

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On the farm

We have significant ongoing planting programmes on the farm, reforesting and creating wetlands. We work with the local council on pest prevention, particularly targeting rats and possums, which has resulted in increased native bird life in the surrounding area. Areas of the farm are also managed as ecological compensation areas with no fertilizer or pesticide imputs.

Annually replenished wild flower plantings encourage biodiversity, also attracting beneficial insects that predate on harmful insects in the vineyard. Extensive use of compost and mulch prevents water loss and improves soil structure and fertility.

 

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The Glass House 

Our pigs and chickens recycle all our food waste generated from The Glass House, while our beehives assist in pollination of plant life on the wider farm, thus encouraging biodiversity.

Within The Glass House itself we use biodegradable cleaners, palm oil-free soaps and detergents, recycle all our glass, plastic paper and cardboard. Our brochures are printed on paper stock from certified sustainably managed forests. The food we prepare in The Glass House kitchen is sourced locally wherever possible, thus reducing our carbon footprint. Rain water supplies our Glass House needs and waste water is disposed of through a sustainable onsite system.